Written Answers Wednesday 22 September 2010

Scottish Executive

Animal Welfare

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) pig, (b) sheep, (c) dairy cattle, (d) beef cattle, (e) poultry including broiler chickens, ducks and turkeys, (f) laying hens and (g) other farmed animal units underwent farm animal welfare inspections by (i) animal health or (ii) local authorities in 2009, also expressed as a percentage of each category.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government does not hold records on animal welfare inspection undertaken by local authorities. However, the number of on farm animal welfare inspections undertaken by animal health in 2009 were:

  

Enterprise
Number
Percentage


Pigs
113
6.3


Sheep 
344
19.1


Dairy Cattle
85
4.7


Beef Cattle
402
22.3


Other Cattle
743
41.3


Poultry
44
2.4


Laying Hens
27
1.5


Other Farmed Animals
43
2.4


Total
1,801
100



  Notes:

  "Other Cattle" includes calf and growing cattle units.

  "Poultry" includes broiler and breeders, turkeys, ducks and geese.

  "Other Farmed Animals" includes goats, ratites, deer and horses.

Animal Welfare

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many farm animal welfare inspections undertaken by Animal Health or by local authorities in 2009 on (a) pig, (b) sheep, (c) dairy cattle, (d) beef cattle, (e) poultry including broiler chickens, ducks and turkeys, (f) laying hens and (g) other farmed animal units were for (i) monitoring compliance with EU animal welfare regulations, (ii) assessing cross-compliance for single farm payments, (iii) investigating complaints about animal welfare and (iv) any other purpose.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government does not hold records on animal welfare inspection undertaken by local authorities. All animal health visits and inspections for farmed animals are to monitor compliance against EU legislation. The number of on farm animal welfare inspections undertaken by animal health in 2009 are shown in the following table:

  

Enterprise
Cross Compliance
Complaints
Targeted
Programmed
Other


Pigs
20
9
64
5
15


Sheep
118
56
163
3
4


Dairy Cattle
40
7
36
1
1


Beef Cattle
163
42
184
8
5


Other Cattle
338
53
336
9
7


Poultry
2
6
6
4
26


Laying Hens
7
4
11
2
3


Other Farmed Animals
1
7
10
10
15


Totals 
689
184
810
42
76



  Notes:

  "Other Cattle" includes calf and growing cattle units.

  "Poultry" includes broiler and breeders, turkeys, ducks and geese.

  "Other Farmed Animals" includes goats, ratites, deer and horses.

Apprenticeships

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S3W-35534 and S3W-35535 by Keith Brown on 23 August 2010, when it expects the chief executive of Skills Development Scotland to respond.

Keith Brown: I understand that the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland has now sent you the information you requested.

Biodiversity

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what organisations will be eligible to bid for the biodiversity fund announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment at the Scottish Biodiversity Forum Conference on 25 August 2010.

Roseanna Cunningham: Voluntary or community groups, schools, health bodies and community councils. Eligibility criteria are available on BIG Lottery’s website at:

  http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_community_wildlife.

Biodiversity

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the biodiversity fund announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment at the Scottish Biodiversity Forum Conference on 25 August 2010 will become available.

Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Natural Heritage has contributed £250,000 to the BIG Lottery programme "Community Wildlife" to double the funding available in Scotland for community projects that support biodiversity. Applications are invited for the 24 November 2010 deadline.

Biodiversity

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether applications to the biodiversity fund announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment at the Scottish Biodiversity Forum Conference on 25 August 2010 will require to be match funded.

Roseanna Cunningham: There is no requirement for match funding.

Crime

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2009-10 , what disposals were issued to those offenders convicted of (a) serious assault etc, (b) robbery, (c) rape and attempted rape, (d) indecent assault, (e) lewd and indecent behaviour, (f) handling an offensive weapon and (g) drugs crime in the Lothian and Borders police force area.

Kenny MacAskill: Information on court proceedings for 2009-10 is due to published in January 2011.

  Details of disposals issued in 2008-09 for offences in Lothian and Borders police force area can be found on the Scottish Government web page for Datasets - Criminal Proceedings in Scottish Courts 2008-09 - Police Force Area.

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/PFA0809.

  It should be noted that statistics dealing with court proceedings and recorded crime are not directly comparable as a person may be proceeded against for more than one crime involving more than one victim and there is the possibility that the crime recorded by the police may be altered in the course of judicial proceedings. Also a crime may be recorded by the police in one year and court proceedings concluded in a subsequent year.

Culture

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings ministers have had with the management of Scottish Opera to discuss proposals to put members of the orchestra on a part-time, 26-week contract.

Fiona Hyslop: I met with Scottish Opera as one of a series of meetings with National Companies and discussed their proposals on contract changes at that time.

Culture

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers plan to meet members of the orchestra of Scottish Opera to hear their concerns regarding proposed changes to their contracts.

Fiona Hyslop: I understand the genuine concerns raised by the orchestra members during the consultation process on changes to their contracts. It is not, however, the role of ministers to intervene in the operational management of an independent company. I have made it clear that I expect Scottish Opera to consult with unions and staff about the proposals in accordance with due process.

Culture

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on plans by Scottish Opera to move members of its orchestra from full-time employment to a 26-week contract.

Fiona Hyslop: Scottish Opera has a responsibility to look at ways to make best use of its resources. How this is achieved is a matter for Scottish Opera’s management and board, in full consultation with staff and unions. Protecting the world-class work of the company is a key objective for Scottish Opera in making these decisions. In accordance with the criteria set for all national performing companies, the Scottish Government will continue to take a close interest in how Scottish Opera delivers opera and its other activities to a high standard; with the best possible use of public subsidy.

Education

Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place between it and UCAS over the status of the Scottish Baccalaureate compared with other qualifications when it comes to university entrance.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government has regular discussions with UCAS about national qualifications including the Scottish Baccalaureates. In addition, the Scottish Government is represented on the UCAS Scottish Qualifications Progression Group which provides a forum for university admissions staff to discuss new national qualifications and the implications for university recruitment and admission policies.

  We are pleased that the value of the Baccalaureate has been recognised through the UCAS points tariff and inclusion in university prospectuses.

Education

Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many university places for 2010-11 were made conditional to success in the Scottish Baccalaureate in the May 2010 SQA diet of examinations.

Michael Russell: Four applicants received offers of university entry in 2010 conditional on achieving a Scottish Baccalaureate qualification in 2009-10.

  A number of universities are now including Scottish Baccalaureates as an entry route in their prospectuses, for example in enabling advanced standing for entry to the second year of university or to an accelerated three-year honours degree.

Education

Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in offering the Scottish Baccalaureate in arts and social sciences.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Qualifications Authority is currently conducting a scoping exercise which is considering both the potential to broaden the current Scottish Baccalaureates in sciences and languages to incorporate other related subjects and whether Baccalaureates in other subject areas should be developed. It is expected that decisions on these issues will be announced in the New Year.

Elections

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made submissions to the UK Government in relation to the proposal to hold a referendum on adopting the alternative vote system for UK elections on the same day as the 2011 Scottish Parliament election and, if so, what response it has received.

Bruce Crawford: Scottish ministers have written to the UK Government on a number of occasions to express concern about the proposal to hold the alternative vote referendum on the same day as next year’s elections to the Scottish Parliament. Scottish ministers and ministers for the other devolved administrations have also raised the issue at the Joint Ministerial Committee and will continue to do so.

  The responses received so far from the UK Government have not answered the substantive points made by ministers.

Elections

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has given consideration to the difference in franchise between a UK referendum and a Scottish Parliament election and, if so, what action it proposes to take.

Bruce Crawford: The Scottish Government is opposed to holding the proposed Alternative Vote referendum on the same day as elections to the Scottish Parliament. The referendum and the Scottish Parliament elections will be held under different franchises and we are concerned that this may cause confusion around the eligibility to vote.

  The franchise for the referendum and the Scottish Parliament elections is a matter for the UK Government.

Finance

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to respond to the recommendations of the Report of Scotland’s Independent Budget Review Panel.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government has given extensive responses to the contents of the Independent Budget Review, particularly in the parliamentary debate on 9 September 2010.

  Until the comprehensive spending review reports on 20 October, we will not know what Scotland’s budget settlement for 2011-12 and the years beyond will be. Within four weeks of that we will present the draft budget, setting out our spending plans for the years ahead, taking into consideration the options in the Independent Budget Review’s report and the views of civic Scotland.

Health

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29215 by Nicola Sturgeon on 1 December 2009 and in light of Lord Penrose’s statement that the inquiry’s terms of reference did not enable him to consider compensation, whether its position on the matter has changed and, if so, whether it will reconsider the issue once the inquiry has made its final recommendations.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has not changed its position on this matter. We have set up the Penrose Inquiry to investigate the circumstances in which patients treated by the NHS in Scotland were infected with hepatitis C or HIV following treatment with blood or blood products.

  On 8 September 2010, Lord Penrose published his preliminary report. In it, he sets out the facts on the questions which he is investigating, including evidence from scientific progress being made during the 1970s and 1980s. He sets out a number of draft issues for further investigation during the public hearings. He invites comments on these draft issues, and any proposed additions to his list. Further information is available on the website www.penroseinquiry.org.uk .

  It would be inappropriate to comment further on the issue in advance of the conclusion of the inquiry.

Health

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the cost of implementing the recommendations on compensation made by Lord Archer’s independent public inquiry on contaminated blood and blood products.

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider implementing the recommendations on compensation made by Lord Archer’s independent public inquiry on contaminated blood and blood products.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has set up the Penrose Inquiry to investigate the circumstances in which patients in Scotland were infected with hepatitis C or HIV following treatment with blood or blood products.

  Further Information is available on the website www.penroseinquiry.org.uk.

  Lord Archer made recommendations on a range of issues some of which relate to issues which the Penrose Inquiry is looking at. The Scottish Government will wish to consider the findings and recommendations of Lord Penrose before reaching any final view.

Mental Health

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it provides to farmers and their families to address depression.

Shona Robison: Responding better to depression, anxiety and stress is a key priority for the Scottish Government and we are working with our partners to provide appropriate care and treatment for all those who suffer from depression, including farmers and those in remote and rural areas, in line with national clinical guidelines.

  Our approach is supported by an ambitious programme to put in place integrated care pathways for depression that meet the standards established by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland; the commitment to increase access to evidence-based psychological therapies in Scotland including the access target to be included in HEAT in 2011-12; screening for depression for those with coronary heart disease and diabetes and appropriate treatment; access to online and telephone based cognitive behavioural therapy and self-help for depression; promotion of physical activity as both a treatment for, and to reduce the risk of developing depression.

  The Institute of Rural Health also recognises, and is encouraged by, the service provided by Breathing Space, the free confidential out of hours telephone advice and signposting service for people experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety, particularly for the advice it can offer to those in rural and more isolated areas.

Ministerial Meetings

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have met Lord Jamie Sempill; on what dates, and what subjects were discussed.

John Swinney: The detailed information requested is currently being collated and I will write to the member as soon as this is available. A copy of the response will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 51704).

Ministerial Visits

Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) date and (b) location was of each ministerial visit to the East Kilbride parliamentary constituency since May 2007.

John Swinney: The detailed information requested is currently being collated and I will write to the member as soon as this is available. A copy of the response will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 51698).

NHS Finance

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the recommendations by the Capital Strategy Group on the future handling of capital resources across NHSScotland.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has accepted the recommendations of the Capital Strategy Group regarding the future handling of capital resources across NHSScotland.

NHS Finance

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how the membership of the Capital Strategy Group on the future handling of capital resources across NHSScotland was decided.

Nicola Sturgeon: The membership of the Capital Strategy Group was decided by the Scottish Government following engagement with NHSScotland Chief Executives, Directors of Finance and the NHSScotland Strategic Facilities Group.

Public Bodies

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what cost savings will be achieved in each of the next three years as a result of the merger of the Deer Commission for Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Roseanna Cunningham: The estimated breakdown of cost savings as a result of the merger of the Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is set out in the Financial Memorandum to the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 which is available at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/bills/26-PubSerRef/index.htm.

  Scottish Government plans to lay before the Parliament a progress report detailing how DCS has been integrated into SNH and evaluating the success of the merger. This is in response to the Rural and Environment Committee’s recommendation arising from its scrutiny of the merger proposals in the Public Service Reform (Scotland) Bill. A report which will include an assessment of efficiency savings achieved as a result of the merger will be laid before the Parliament by 2012.

Public Bodies

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the reduction of full-time equivalent posts will be as a result of the merger of the Deer Commission for Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Roseanna Cunningham: There has been a reduction of two permanent full-time equivalent posts as a result of the merger of Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Both posts were within the former DCS. In one case the individual concerned took voluntary retirement and in the other the individual concerned was redeployed to fill a vacant post within SNH.

Public Sector Pay

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total of non-consolidated bonus payments was for the public sector in 2009-10 and what the estimate is for 2010-11.

John Swinney: The total amount of non-consolidated performance related payments made in the public sector in Scotland in 2009-10 is currently unavailable. This is due to differences in the timing of organisational pay remits and because final financial returns have yet to be submitted.

  No estimate is therefore available for 2010-11 but we are committed to significantly reducing non-consolidated performance payments in the public sector.

Public Sector Pay

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the current salaries of the chief executive officers who are eligible for a bonus payment equivalent to 10% of salary under its guidance for such payments in 2010-11.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government’s public sector pay policy for senior appointments limits the maximum potential non-consolidated performance payment to 10%. However, 10 of the 36 chief executives covered by the pay policy do not benefit from any non-consolidated performance pay provision, and a number have a maximum potential non-consolidated performance payment of less than 10%. Only those chief executives performing at a demonstrably outstanding level, and who are eligible for consideration for a non-consolidated performance payment, can expect to be offered the full percentage award.

Residential Care

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what organisations it consulted as part of its review of the personal expenses allowance for residents in care homes for older people, as referred to by the Convener of the Public Petitions Committee ( Official Report c. 1721).

Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-36178 on 21 September 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Scottish Government

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions ministers have had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) regarding road issues at sites 5 and 6 at Almondbank, Perthshire, where the Scottish Government is a tenant of Defra.

Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government officials have had some discussion with Defra regarding a proposal by them to transfer the legal title and maintenance responsibilities for part of the road serving Site 6 Almondbank from Defra to Scottish Government. As the full implications of taking title and financial responsibilities for the road are extremely complex, these are having to be carefully considered and no decision will be taken until all the implications of ownership have been fully explored and quantified.

  The Scottish Government owns Site 6 and is not a tenant of DEFRA who own Site 5.

Teachers

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many teaching graduates qualified from Scottish institutions in each of the last five years.

Michael Russell: The following table shows how many people at Scottish higher education institutions qualified from teaching courses that lead to qualified teacher status (QTS) or to registration as a school teacher with the General Teaching Council for Scotland in each of the last five academic years.

  HE Qualifiers who Gained QTS from Scottish HEIs, by Sector of Teaching Qualification: 2004-05 to 2008-09

  

Academic Year
Primary
Secondary
Further Education/Higher Education
All Teacher Training Qualifiers


2004
1,415
1,475
340
3,230


2005
2,040
1,910
280
4,235


2006
2,020
1,780
455
4,255


2007
1,745
1,425
160
3,325


2008
1,960
1,305
0
3,265



  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

  Notes:

  Figures in this table have been rounded to the nearest 5. 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0.

  While there were students studying teaching courses intended for the further and higher education sectors in 2008-09, none of these led to qualified teacher status.